A breakthrough dementia drug that slows Alzheimer’s disease could soon be offered at home, eliminating the need for a hospital visit

A breakthrough Alzheimer’s drug that could slow the disease’s progression could potentially be taken at home instead of in hospital.

Lecanemab, which is awaiting the green light for NHS use and has already been approved by US regulators, was originally meant to be given twice a month as an infusion in hospital.

However, new data released by Eisai, the drug’s developer, suggests that lecanemab is just as effective in slowing Alzheimer’s disease when given twice a week. Unlike an infusion, which can take several hours via an IV bag, the injections can be done in minutes and do not require a trip to the hospital.

Lecanemab works by attacking a toxic protein in the brain called amyloid, which is linked to dementia symptoms.

Experts believe that twice weekly self-administration is as effective as twice monthly infusions

Experts previously said getting approval from the health system could be too expensive. But a switch to home injections would cut the cost of treatment – which requires regular hospital check-ups – by £20,000 a year, as NHS staff would not have to administer the drug.

But hopes that the home injection would reduce the number of dangerous side effects — including brain swelling and bleeding seen in previous studies — have been dashed. In fact, the current study, which included 70 participants, found that the number of patients who experienced these complications increased from 17 to 22 percent.

Although most patients who experience these side effects do not feel seriously ill, in some cases the problems can be life-threatening. Three participants in a study of 1,800 people of lecanemab infusion died from side effects of the drug.

Brain doctors spoke to the Ministry of Health last night and expressed their concerns about the home vaccinations, saying they feared there could be serious consequences if patients took the drug without close supervision by nurses or doctors.

“Doctors have no way of predicting which patients will experience these life-threatening side effects,” said Robert Howard, professor of geriatric psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health at University College London. “So the idea of ​​patients taking the medication at home without the supervision of a healthcare provider is worrisome.”

“The drug company needs to do larger studies to prove it’s safe as an injection before it’s marketed in that form.”